Labour activists and those attending this years Margate Pride had a fantastic opportunity to meet with and hear Peter Tatchell speak on Saturday 10th August. Peter, a human rights activist best known for his work with LGBT social movements and who runs the Peter Tatchell Foundation, was invited to join Margate Pride and speak at the […]
Category: General
NHS needs more than a pre-election sweetener
East Kent didn’t receive any of Boris Johnson’s NHS sweetener this week. Perhaps we’re seen as safe Tory territory? This was one of the points I made on Friday when invited onto The Wake Up Call on BBC Radio Kent. Listeners also heard input from Canterbury Labour MP, Rosie Duffield , Mary Tunbridge, Deputy COO for […]
William Harvey Hospital gridlock
Ashford is too far. There’s simply no way that stroke patients from Thanet want to have to travel to the William Harvey Hospital. Well documented plans to close stroke units around Kent, including ours in Thanet, in favour of creating a new hyper acute stroke unit at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford continue to be […]
Stroke unit closure at QEQM more likely after Tunbridge Wells collapse?
The early closure of a hospital stroke unit in Kent has sent alarm signals to residents in Thanet. Stroke patients in Tunbridge Wells will be treated over half an hour away in Maidstone from September. The announcement comes as NHS managers struggle with staff retention and recruitment. Continued provision of stroke unit services in some […]
Manston, What’s next?
We learned today that RiverOak Strategic Partnership (RSP) has purchased the Manston Airport site. Well, Stone Hill Park (SHP) seem to have been beaten down by a lack of vision, forward thinking and intransigence at Thanet District Council. Despite a robust plan for mixed use development on the Manston site and clearly demonstrating their business […]
Mental health services shortfall costing lives?
Today, 13th June, Kathy Bailes in The Isle Of Thanet News covered the tragic story of Ben Stone and his brother, Lee Thrumble. Both local men were victims of suicide, the rates for which are higher for men in Kent than elsewhere in the country. The story highlights the problems of accessing mental health services […]
Stroke unit: judicial review progress
After amazing support from Thanet residents who wish to keep a stroke unit locally, we raised £5k in days, we were able to begin a formal Judicial Review. This is now at the High Court and we are waiting to hear when it will be heard. We are hopeful that it will be called in […]
Think local, not Brexit on May 2
Have politics around Brexit affected how we might vote on May 2nd? BBC South East News Political Editor, Helen Catt invited myself and district council candidates to a round table discussion. Gathered on the terrace of Ramsgate’s Wetherspoon’s pub, the group, representing the mainstream parties were open about the challenges in the forthcoming local elections. […]
Documenting Thanet gentrification
Sean Gallen is studying to be a journalist. The university student is about to complete his degree and recently submitted a film about Thanet as part of his course. Having received a request from Sean for an interview and local insight, he and I spent a few hours criss-crossing the Isle as he researched his […]
Ramsgate’s new fire station and running
As a member of Kent & Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, I am very pleased to see Ramsgate Fire Station open in it’s new location with state of the art facilities. On 5th February I was with the Service as a guest to witness their new base in Ramsgate and listen to how they intend […]